Pork awards near conclusion

High-quality pork products are set to stoke up foodservice menus, as the industry’s Foodservice Pork Product of the Year nears its finale.

Eighteen products have made the shortlist and are in with a chance of being crowned the nation’s best pork catering dish.

Judges at the competition were presented with various pork products, which were all targeted at or available on menus across the country. The competition is in its seventh year and, this year, received a record 128 entries.

The finalists this year, Bpex said, had demonstrated the many "fantastic ways" in which pork was being used in the foodservice sector. This year, entrants took inspiration from around the world, including India and Italy.

Foodservice trade manager for Bpex Tony Goodger said: "We were incredibly impressed with the standard of entries this year. It is fantastic to see that the sector is constantly striving to innovate and make the most of Quality Assured pork.

"The variation in product entries shows that, as well as being a firm favourite with diners, pork is an incredibly versatile meat, being combined with ingredients such as stout and honey, pickled walnuts and pecans. It was also nice to see that the humble pork scratching – one of the country’s favourite bar snacks – got a look-in!

"Of course, we could only choose three products in each of the six categories for the final – which was incredibly difficult given the high standard of entry. Over 80% of products were given an award, more than two-thirds of which were ‘gold’; the highest accolade possible. This will ensure that those businesses and their customers will get a boost from having ‘award-winning’ products on the menu."

The finalists will attend a prestigious awards lunch at Butchers’ Hall, London on Friday 12 April, where the 2013 Foodservice Pork Product of the Year Champion will be announced.